Nevada on TV during Bracket Buster

RENO - It's matinee time at Lawlor Events Center.

Nevada's ESPN Bracket Buster game against Vermont on Feb. 19 is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.

Part of the reason for the early start is that ESPN is using the same broadcasters to do the Nevada game and the UTEP-UOP game in Stockton, Calif.

The UTEP-UOP game has been designated for the 9 p.m. slot which makes a lot of sense because both are West Coast teams. Obviously ESPN wanted to make sure that East Coast fans would get to see he Vermont game at a reasonable hour.

"We had an idea it could happen," Nevada coach Mark Fox said. "We thought we'd be the first game or the last game (9 p.m.). We thought UOP and UTEP was either going to be first or last.

"It's not something we're accustomed to, but I think it's exciting being on television. Maybe we'll have 11,000 people cheering us on at 11 a.m."

The game is in the middle of a three-game homestand. Nevada hosts Rice on Feb. 16 (a Wednesday), which is a day earlier than normal. After the Bracket Buster contest, the Wolf Pack will host Tulsa Monday night.

-Darrell Moody